No wonder cyclists are hated

[Dogtrousers]

On the subject of why and how roads were designed, something I often wonder is when did the mass-tarmacing of roads in the UK happen?

Tarmac was invented at the turn of the century. Before that roads were "macadam" graded stone, gravel and dirt, cobbles or other stones, or just plain dirt tracks.

I'd guess that WWI got in the way rather and things only really got going in the 20s. But how far did they get? Were some of the lanes that I like to ride on still unmetalled by the end of WWII and into the 50s?

This is relevant because if tarmac hadn't been invented everyone would hate us even more because we'd all be riding poncy 1x gravel bikes.

 

[Oldhippy]

I may be wrong but I seem to remember reading recently that the cycling fraternity in the early days were mainly responsible for demanding decent road surfaces.

 

[Solocle]

On the subject of why and how roads were designed, something I often wonder is when did the mass-tarmacing of roads in the UK happen?

Tarmac was invented at the turn of the century. Before that roads were "macadam" graded stone, gravel and dirt, cobbles or other stones, or just plain dirt tracks.

I'd guess that WWI got in the way rather and things only really got going in the 20s. But how far did they get? Were some of the lanes that I like to ride on still unmetalled by the end of WWII and into the 50s?

I've stumbled across a macadam road on a ride before, the surface was actually surprisingly decent, certainly better than a typical gravel track.

 

[presta]

I recall my father saying a lot of the Lakeland passes were still just gravel tracks when he cycled them in the 1940s, but this photo he took on Honister looks like tarmac, unless it's very well-rolled gravel:

 

[Ian H]

I've seen some time trials held on some ridiculous roads.
One was on the A40 near Monmouth, dual carriageway, mega busy and cars flying past at 70mph+.

There are a few events on courses there. I've ridden a few 25s there. Good fast courses.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I recall my father saying a lot of the Lakeland passes were still just gravel tracks when he cycled them in the 1940s, but this photo he took on Honister looks like tarmac, unless it's very well-rolled gravel:
View attachment 772350

Is your father thumbing his nose at a sign strongly encouraging cyclists to walk? This kind of disregard for road signs gives us all a bad name.

 

[presta]

Is your father thumbing his nose at a sign strongly encouraging cyclists to walk?

Yes, but that's Stan, his best mate, my father was taking the photo.

(That sign was still there until around the millennium.)

 

[Ian H]

Is your father thumbing his nose at a sign strongly encouraging cyclists to walk? This kind of disregard for road signs gives us all a bad name.

There is or was a sign at the top of Countisbury Hill saying Cyclists Dismount. I once overtook a coach descending the hill. I'd be more cautious these days.

 

[Profpointy]

At the risk of stating the obvious, when cows are accompanied by calves they can get very protective and should be given a wide berth.

Get between a cow and its offspring at your peril.

And if making a detour to avoid doing so, be aware that the cow you're avoiding might not be the mother !

 

[Alex321]

I've seen some time trials held on some ridiculous roads.
One was on the A40 near Monmouth, dual carriageway, mega busy and cars flying past at 70mph+.

That isn't actually a very busy road, and sight lines are very good. Though that does depend somewhat which bit of the A40 you mean. It is busier and not as good sight lines on the hill above Monmouth to the East. To the West, and particularly after it turns at Raglan, it is much better.

You also get Time Trials often being held on the A465 between Hirwaun and Aberdulais. Which is another dual carriageway, with traffic ttraveling at 70, but again n ot too busy, and good sight lines.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Tarmac was invented at the turn of the century.

What, in 2000, sure we had it before then.

 

[Binky]

That isn't actually a very busy road, and sight lines are very good. Though that does depend somewhat which bit of the A40 you mean. It is busier and not as good sight lines on the hill above Monmouth to the East. To the West, and particularly after it turns at Raglan, it is much better.

You also get Time Trials often being held on the A465 between Hirwaun and Aberdulais. Which is another dual carriageway, with traffic ttraveling at 70, but again n ot too busy, and good sight lines.

Can't recall exactly which bit but it was very busy and very fast traffic on it. Not just cars of course, bigger issue is lorries and freight trucks going past and associated draft. And not the sort of draft cyclists want
Holding an event on such a road was ill advised at best.

 

[Alex321]

What, in 2000, sure we had it before then.

It is odd how many of us still think of "the turn of the century" as meaning the start of the 20th century, even though we are a quarter way through the 21st.

 

[Alex321]

Can't recall exactly which bit but it was very busy and very fast traffic on it. Holding an event on such a road was ill advised at best.

I've driven that road a lot - I spent 7 years commuting daily from Merthyr to Cheltenham. It did get pretty busy on a Friday afternoon in summer, but otherwise, while not exactly quiet, it wasn't too bad. Yes, the traffic does travel fast on it (except when seriously busy), but you can always see several hundred yards ahead except for coming down that hill into Monmouth.

Possibly there was some event on making it much busier than usual, which the organisers hadn't catered for.

I have seen Time Trials taking place on the section between Raglan and Abergavenny, but that is definitely not busy for a dual carriageway.

 

[Solocle]

Can't recall exactly which bit but it was very busy and very fast traffic on it. Holding an event on such a road was ill advised at best.

It's another long and varied road.

In fact, my first time cycling in London, at night, I ended up on it by mistake. Probably one of the worst stretches, and is in fact meant to prohibit cycling.

The Westway.

At the point of no return, there was no warning sign. No signs prohibiting cycling at that entrance. And I didn't know the area, so I wasn't expecting effectively an urban motorway, half of it with the hard shoulder barriered off.

Other entrances have warning signs. Just not that one.